In addition, HA-ADT-induced apoptosis was evidenced by the downregulation of the expressions of p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), phospho (p)-protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and p-β-catenin, and suppressed autophagy through decreasing the expressions of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and p-Smad2/p-Smad3 in human HCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.